Rethinking Character Design!:Introducing the Character Designer’s Journal…

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa K. Vassar-Belloso. I’m a hobbyist digital artist,photographer and writer with a strong passion for character design and creative education. I’m currently looking to pursue self-publishing my first book. the Character Designer’s Journal. It’s a book series that I hope will change how people look at the art of character design that takes a unique inside and out development approach.

Fictional characters are a huge part of a lot of projects we encounter everyday whether it’s a book, television show, comic book, manga or even a play just to name a few. Every creator wants to make a character that will be timeless and that’s why I began this project.

We live in a time where the creative book market is actually over-saturated with books that will tell you how to draw any kind of character in your head but a truly memorable character is more than just looks. Like people the characters we remember,relate to and latch onto are realistic with personalities, backstories, and quirks among other things. Character design is an art but as easy as it is to find a book to help you visualize your character there are very few that teach true character design.

As a freeform roleplayer, writer and general creative person I began to notice that shortage and began to develop ideas for the Character Designer’s Journal. My goal was to create a resource that would appeal to a wide range of creatives and teach the full spectrum of character design. The book will not only take a dynamic approach to visual design techniques but also delve into areas like cast creation, concept development, character profiling, and much more!

In addition to the main book the series has planned companion resources like an exercise workbook,body shape reference guide,resource disc, and pocket guide.

The project is currently being crowdfunded for the longer term on Patreon at:

You can also follow me on Twitter for creative tweets and project updates via @themeinav .

Below is a small sampler of what will be in the book. Please have a read and I hope you’ll consider being part of a new way to approach character design! As a Patron you will not only be eligible for some awesome rewards once the book is published but you get to be part of the creative process as the book is being produced and even have a chance for your character to be in the book.

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Want to support my work but can’t make a monthly commitment? Every dollar counts and helps me continue to create so you can also….

Become a Patron!

The Character Designer’s series is all about a brand new way to tackle character design. The book is the ideal guide for learning to develop a character inside and out and not just another how-to-draw series.Whether you’re a roleplayer,writer, artist, or even an aspiring manga-ka the series can help you create a well-rounded and unique character for any project. Become a part of the cast now and gain exclusive access to chapter and graphic previews,the chance to have your original character in the book and even opportunities to be part of designing the book.